Automatic vs. Manual

[Ar878]

Hey everyone, been browsing these forums for 6 months or so and finally decided to register and post!I'm a college student and am planning on getting a used G35 coupe but not sure if I want an automatic or not. I've been a fan of the G series ever since they were released here in America but I prefer the older body style rather than the newer G37 body style.I know about the problems with the '03-04 models so I'm looking at either an '05 or an '06. The problem is I'm torn between either auto or manual transmission. At this point I'm just trying to decide which type of transmission I want in my car before I go any further in researching other features and etc. I drive an automatic as of right now but know how to drive a stick.

Opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[mcheddadi]

Duh! get the manual and thank me later It's faster, lighter, more responsive and it costs less.

[ArEs23x]

Personally I have an automatic and I regret not getting a manual because obviously it's more fun and it looks sexy to a chick when they see you shifting, thats what mine told me at least ha ha

[ArEs23x]

Oh I am deeply sorry for my rudeness, welcome to the club my friend

[Ar878]

haha thanks, I forgot that you gotta account for the sexiness factor too

[zozoka1212]

Duh! get the manual and thank me later It's faster, lighter, more responsive and it costs less.

I see you from Canada. Have you checked Infiniti's website?

It says the auto is cheaper. I believe it was same with the g35 last year.

http://infiniti.ca/en/configur...cle=H

To the OP

Between the Auto and the m/t is about .02 seconds. If you shift perfectly.

You have to try both and see how you like them. I used to own M/T for almost 20 years. I love M/T and hate it too. I love shifting but I hate driving it in the big traffic. I drive mine in 70% city. So I went with A/T. I drive mine in tiptronic manual mode( I know it is not the same) most of the time but when I hit traffic just trow it in D.

Some people have hard time to shift in the g35 even if you are experienced.

Zozo

[Minmey15]

I have V36 Sedan 6MT and love it. But wish I had the automatic when I am in traffic...

[telcoman]

Duh! get the manual and thank me later It's faster, lighter, more responsive and it costs less.

Telcoman

[SVTCOBRA]

Welcome to Nico!!!

I've always owned a stick. For 30 years now!! However, since I've been married, almost 20 years, we've also had an auto. Love having both!!With all of the distractions now, cell phone, pager, stereos, big gulps....you might want to think about an auto. Are you easily distracted by these things?? Also, think about what kind of traffic you are going to be in the most on a daily basis.

Finally, you need to take both on some extended test drives. The dealers I deal with will let me sign a paper and take the car out for several hours. This is what you need to do!!

[rn79870]

Get a 5AT. Sticks belong in Civic's and Hyundai's. Also, you'll avoid rattling shifters, noisy throw out bearings, heated clutches and mule leg syndrome, and oil consumption problems (depending on the year). Another plus, you'll have a hand with which to hold your Starbucks or your girlfriend. Most 6MT owners don't have girlfriends so they don't really care about that.

PLUS, the big plus. If you read here long enough, you'll see that the 6MT owners beat their car much harder than the 5AT owners. If you want a reliable used car, get a 5AT.

[audtatious]

It all depends on what you are looking for and what you want to deal with. In my scenario, I would have loved a 6mt but after a major twist of my clutch ankle it gets a bit painful at times having to deal with a clutch. Having to deal with traffic can also be an annoyance with a 6sp as does making sure you have your hands free to shift.

Final decision maker was my wife who won't drive a stick (or should I say "manual transmission" ).

[BrandAidDesignG35]

My advice would be 6mt, I have the auto and dearly miss slapping it in gear.... tested a maxima 6mt sooooo nice,

But you see what I decided on.

for AT, it's great with grounding kit IMHO

[rn79870]

Brand

I forgot to tell you how good the wheels look. Nice touch.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Look, You are Young, In college and need a fun car! Get the 6MT... You won't be sorry!

Everytime i get in mine i love it!

DJ

[audtatious]

Thus why I picked up the Sport model. The paddle shfters are a neat toy

[Jacko3]

Ar878:

The 6MT is fun to drive if you know what you are doing. Yes, traffic sucks with the 6 MT. As far as acceleration is concerned, I once met a AT on an open highway and he couldn't keep up with me in 4 th gear. Of course I had some mods on my 6MT. But, I think an AT with ground gears maybe more responsive than a 6MT--I dunno.

[SVTCOBRA]

Don't know what Jacko is talking about, but I pulled up beside a supercharged 06 G35C 6MT and dusted him in my AT Sedan!!! I even tried to help him out by slowing down my beast by hanging half my body out of the window while driving with my knees!!! I have mad drivin skillz. What? You don't believe me?? Guess I'll have to post a VID on youtube....

[Jacko3]

SVTCOBRA:

I would actually agree with you if it was from a dead stop at a traffic light ( I once experienced a blinding response from an AT). The Sedans are lighter and so should respond faster. But when both cars are rolling at speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour, even without a supercharger, a lightly moded 6MT may eat an AT for lunch. What do you think?

[soakgame]

i want the manual.. but i drive in traffic everyday.. that might irritate me after a while

[etschell]

i live in miami so i went with an auto. no regrets, especially since the brake work on the manuals is far more expensive (brembo).

however, my next car will probably be a manual unless it comes with auto paddle shifters.

[Sentientbydesign]

I have a 6mt with a stiffer pressure plate and lighter flywheel. Traffic can suck, but honestly, it's not that bad.

My wife says that I'm cheating in my G because her celica requires actual skill to drive (5MT with a very light flywheel and a touchy pressure plate).

I drove my G for work for 5 months. That meant 250-300 miles of city traffic each weekend and it wasn't horrible.

The only think that drives me nuts is that you can't down shift into 1st while rolling unless you rev the engine. And if you're RPMs are too low, the car will vibrate at you like you're raping it.

Welcome to NICO!

[Kendahl]

Both are good enough that personal preference is the biggest consideration. Test drive both and buy the one you like better. If you are rusty with a manual, you might need some practice before you can evaluate it fairly.

[Ar878]

Thanks for all the replies!I'll definitely have to do some extended test drives.

[Jacko3]

Ar878:

If you ever get the manual, don't let the demons of the G-35 Coupe 6MT possess you as it has possessed me. Wear your cross, and say your Rosary with all your might. That's how exciting the car is. I never asked for this level of excitement, but it is there. I am a different animal once I sit in the car. I may yet need to be exorcised of my G-35 coupe demons.


Modified by Jacko3 at 3:41 PM 5/28/2008

[audtatious]

I can't help but smile when I'm in the G. Worth every penny just for that alone.

[Jacko3]

audtatious:

I am with you 100% on that one!

[TeflonG35]

I'm lazy. Sometimes i just want to sit back with the music up loud, the windows down and not have to worry about shifting. Specially when I close and just worked 11 hours. For those days when i'm overly energetic i just throw it into manual mode. My auto is fun and fast when I wants it to be.

[blkonblk350gt]

i have an auto and at times i do wish it was 6mt but after running into a 6mt last night same year as mine with plenum spacer and intake (i have test pipes and intake) we ran a total of 7 times on the way home and each and everytime i pulled a car on him he was confused and i still dont know how i did it

[Sentientbydesign]

He doesn't know how to shift!!!

[joe603]

I had an AUTO late-model firebird V8 for years...it was time to go back to a manual. I'm glad I did in the G

It all comes down to your preference and your commute.